China Caucus Blog

China’s Incoming Leader Pledges Not to Bargain on Disputed Territory. “China will never bargain over what it deems to be “core” territorial and security interests, the country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, said in his first published speech setting out his foreign policy since his elevation, which has been accompanied by volatile tensions with Japan and other Asian neighbors over rival maritime claims. Mr. Xi laid out some of the principles likely to shape Chinese diplomacy under him in a speech to the Communist Party’s elite Politburo that balanced vows of commitment to peace with a warning that certain demands are sacrosanct to Beijing. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/world/asia/incoming-chinese-leader-will-not-to-bargain-on-disputed-territory.html
In China, Beware: A Camera May Be Watching You. “In recent years, the government has installed more than 20 million cameras across a country where a decade ago there weren't many. Today, in Chinese cities, cameras are everywhere: on highways, in public parks, on balconies, in elevators, in taxis, even in the stands at sporting events. Officials say the cameras help combat crime and maintain "social stability" — a euphemism for shutting up critics. In fact, the government routinely uses cameras to monitor and intimidate dissidents. Human rights activists worry that more surveillance will erode the freedom of ordinary people and undermine what little ability they have to question their rulers.” http://www.npr.org/2013/01/29/170469038/in-china-beware-a-camera-may-be-watching-you

China Conducts Anti-Missile Test. “Reports from various news outletsover the last day or so note China has "again carried out a land-based mid-course missile interception test within its territory Sunday." Xinhua in its report explained "The test has reached the preset goal" citing an official from the Information Bureau of China's Defense Ministry. "The test is defensive in nature and targets no other country," explained the ministry official. This would mark the second instance that China has announced such a test. A similar anti-missile test was successfully attempted in Jan 2010.” http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2013/01/29/china-conducts-anti-missile-test/